Sunday, July 27, 2014

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

I found this article and it spoke to me. I remember the days when my kids were young and through the teen years too. I was working, going to college at night, keeping up with their activities, cooking a balanced meal each night and entertaining at the drop of a hat ~ whew! I've always been a perfectionist and trying to do it all left no time for me and little time to sleep. Just wanted to share this as a reminder for all those that have little ones, teens, parents to care for, etc. Be really good to yourself ~ schedule "you" on the calendar! Take the time to have a mani/pedi, meet a friend for coffee or a drink, have a massage or reflexology, go for acupuncture, have your hair done and take yourself to a movie or lunch. You need this! You deserve it!

Running your life and your household is a bit like running a business for which some things can easily be delegated.

Sometimes we have so many varying responsibilities in our lives, ranging from work obligations to caring for children to running a household, we feel we cannot possibly make it all work. We may feel overwhelmed in the face of it all, ending each day feeling hopelessly behind schedule. However, regardless of how frustrating this can be, these are the parameters that make up our lives, and we owe it to ourselves to find a way to make it work. Rather than buckling under the pressure of an impossible to-do list, we might take a moment to view the larger perspective.

Like the president of a large organization, we must first realize that we cannot do every job ourselves. The first step to sanity is learning how to delegate some of the responsibility to other people, whether by paying someone to clean our house or trading childcare duties with another parent. In addition, we might find places where we can shift our expectations in ways that make our lives easier. For example, expecting ourselves to create a healthy home-cooked meal every night after a full day of work, errands, or caring for an infant or toddler may be a bit excessive. We might allow ourselves to order in food once in a while without any guilt. Accepting the adjustments needed to make our lives work is an essential ingredient to being at peace with our situation.

At the end of the day, we must come to terms with changing what we can and accepting what we cannot change. Sometimes the laundry piles up, a sick child demands more of our attention than usual, and we temporarily get behind with our schedule. Accepting this momentary state of affairs and trusting in our ability to get back on track when the time is right, we gracefully accept our life as it is, letting go of perfectionism and embracing life as it stands.

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

I wanted to share the Balloon Release we did later in the evening. See the original post here

She loved pink and animal print!

If you look closely, there are pink ribbons tied to each balloon. I cut pink paper into squares and cut lengths of pink ribbon. We all wrote notes to her and tied them on the balloons.

My daughter and I. I don't wear pink (don't judge!) so red was it!

And...they're off!

We've had so much wind here but that day there was not a breath of air moving. We were concerned that the balloons would end up in the trees.There were several people there, however, I don't have their permission to share those photos.

They continued to lift ~ yay!!

Higher and higher!

Movin' on!

We were so thrilled that they kept lifting!

Almost out of sight!

I feel sure she spoke to God and requested they rise higher and higher ~ :)

I want to thank each of you for reading these 2 posts and sharing your kind words, prayers and good thoughts! As difficult as this loss has been, we do have to continue living and I know she would want that.

Monday, July 21, 2014

I haven't been able to share this due to computer issues, however, I think I've found a way! :) We decided to do "happy" things to honor this precious girl on Saturday, June 21st. She would love that!

Abigail Madison Key

July 8, 1997 ~ June 21, 2013

We had "High Tea" in the afternoon in Dallas atLavendou Bistro Provençal

It's such a beautiful and quaint restaurant and the service is impeccable. If you're in the Dallas area, I highly recommend that you make the time to visit and relax. This istheir website and they are on Facebook too.

This was something we had planned to do with Abby, however, we didn't make it. :( Make the time, my friends, to do the things you or your family/friends want to do! You never know when you might not have the opportunity.

Here's a sampling of the goodies served with our tea ~

The flowers were for our guest, Miss E. She's the daughter of a friend of ours and loves tea! I wish I could share a photo of her...just adorable. She's just had a birthday and turned 7. She has an incredible personality and dresses herself in style but appropriately. She loved the flowers and immediately chose one of the roses for her babysitter. (Her parents were on vacation and she and her 4 year old brother were staying with the grandparents.) The sitter was wonderful in taking them to their activities, etc. Miss E immediately presented the sitter with the chosen rose when we took her home ~ so precious and giving!

We had been there awhile and Miss E needed to go to the restoom. She advised us she knew where to go, she'd been there before. :) There were only 3 people left in the restaurant and were seated in the front plus we could see the path to the ladies room. In her absence, the manager stopped by to see if we needed anything and if this was a special occasion. We explained why we were there and he expressed his condolences. He offered us a mimosa and of course, we were happy with that! He brought Miss E orange juice in a champagne flute and she thought we were all having only OJ. :)

We had a balloon release that evening and I will try and share those photos later. Please know that I haven't been able to "edit" photos so it is what it is!

Saturday, July 12, 2014

I'm still having problems with my computer and hope to have them resolved next week! It's difficult to post/share photos but I try to keep the Silent Sunday posts going.Hope everyone had a great 4th weekend and that you're staying cool! We're expecting temps back in the '70's here in the DFW area this next week. I can hardly wait! :)

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Work like you don't need the money,Sing like no one can hear you,Live like it's Heaven on earth,Love like you've never been hurt andDance like no one's watching!

"The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are."~ Joseph Campbell

"I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read, and all the friends I want to make."~ John Burroughs

"Can you see the holiness in those things you take for granted ~ a paved road or a washing machine? If you concentrate on finding what is good in every situation, you will discover that your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude, a feeling that nurtures the soul." ~ Harold KushnerYou need Javascript enabled to view these blessings. Bible Study Aids

‎"May the Lord bless you and keep you and...give you peace."

Numbers 6:24-26

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"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."